NAVAL PROGRAMMES

Southland Times, Issue 19238, 8 May 1924, Page 5

NAVAL PROGRAMMES

AN INTERESTING COMPARISON. MORE SHIPS FOR AMERICA. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, May 6. (Received May 7, 11 p.m.) Interesting data concerning the present naval building programmes of the Powers who signed the Washington Treaty will be presented Rt the Congressional investigation into the American Navy, the alleged deterioration of which President Coolidge is reported to have discounted as erroneous. The data shows that Japan’s programme is the greatest of the Powers, especially as regards high speed light cruisers and destroyers. Britain’s building tonnage is estimated at 116,440, of which 41,000 comprises the above types. The United States has 64,496 tons of which 45,000 represents cruisers. Japan has 178,065 tons of which 133,000 represent destroyers and cruisers. France has 71,748 tons of which 54,936 tons are destroyers and cruisers. Italy has only 11,200 tons, being all destroyers. The main competition involves light cruisers, in which both England and United States are deficient. England is the only Power building dreadnoughts. These figures will be used to convince Congress of the necessity of appropriating funds to build eight cruisers of 10,000 tons each. 0